Is it time to grow your skills? We all know that in order to be successful we can’t just copy our competitors. We have to set ourselves apart from the crowd. What makes your photography different from everyone else in your market area? Is it your lighting? Your use of locations or backgrounds? Is it the types of pets that you photograph? Your products?

I can guarantee that since we’ve been teaching pet photography (2009) we have seen lots of trends fall by the wayside. And every market area is different. There are also a lot more photographers specializing in pets. In short, if your skills don’t set you apart you won’t last. So how are your skills?

We all know that our clients buy what they see — so show them the type of photography you want to shoot. Do it well and stand your ground. Use those techniques creatively and consistently and YOU will be the trendsetter the others are copying. But before you become the trendsetter, you have really know the game. You need to master manual shooting, and know what your equipment can do. Our belief is that you can’t call yourself a professional if you only know one trick! So if this is your slow time of year, use this time to create a new slant on something and perfect what you do. Take a workshop, shoot in an unexpected place, visit some museums, shoot with a friend — in other words, invest in yourself.

Why not develop a LOOK BOOK like fashion photographers use to illustrate a brand? Even if all the shots in your look book are the same dog, why not get down to it and really explore your style. Create a book or an album of all the variations (and depth) of your style and show it to a prospective client. If you ONLY want to shoot on seamless paper in a studio setting then really explore what you can create.

This little pep talk is only the beginning. We’re going to be sharing more this year, both with online video and via our facebook page — and through workshops. We’ll post details here, first. Online learning is great, but workshops build community and give us both friendship and a safe way to learn and grow. Learn with us and we’ll all get better, together.

We held our first Portfolio Shooting Day in Minneapolis last week — and had a GREAT time. Even on a hot day in August we were able to set up lots of fun shots, try new lighting techniques and really focus on composition and working with our live dog models. The small group setting was perfect for lots of hands-on experimentation and our online image critique helped lock in the learning. Thanks to all who participated –and to our great models — we hope some of you will want to do the Studio Shooters Workshop next July and have fun in the studio (and air conditioning) for a change!

Interested in a Portfolio Shooting Day in YOUR area? Email us (see the contact page) or post your comments — we’ll see if we have enough interest and let you know!

The most common feedback we get every time we hold an Unleashed workshop is “Wow! I really didn’t think I’d like shooting in a studio — now I want to go home and set one up! And it’s really true that on a certain level, studio shooting is LESS complicated than shooting outdoors where the light and the environment is constantly changing. When we set up our lighting for a session we meter once, take a few test shots and we’re off to the races.

This is a shooting workshop. No business stuff, no contracts, no marketing — in other words, it’s all fun stuff. We work with live dog models and all of the images you shoot can go in YOUR portfolio.

But we know that not everyone is comfortable with hand-held light meters and different looking light modifiers and lights. So we start out with the most simple one-light portrait set up and build on it. Big lights, small lights, changing the angles and shooting and re-shooting. It really is magic. And it’s something that will CLICK and make sense because you’re actually doing it –with your own camera — and seeing the results instantly. You’re not watching a video or reading a book. You’re in it. Digital cameras make learning studio work so much easier!

If you’re on the fence, call us (at Teresa Berg Photography 972-250-2415) , we’ll answer your questions about the agenda and anything else you might want to know. But don’t wait, we’ve got only one seat left!

Our spring and summer workshop schedules are finalized and with air fares down (because of gas prices) it’s the perfect time to plan a trip! We’re teaching our Studio Shooters Unleashed at Teresa Berg Photography in Dallas on July 10-12th this year.

If you’re a hands-on learner and want to shoot with live models in a full-time working professional studio, this is the right opportunity for you. We cover a very wide range of techniques including studio strobes (with tons of different light modifiers – umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors, flags, scrims and grids), ring flash, continuous light, even using speedlites in the studio.

Please note: this is not a business and marketing workshop. It’s all hands on with cameras.

Two full days with live dog models and all these toys? How could it not be fun? We have a great hotel just up the street ($64 per night includes breakfast) so you won’t need a rental car to get around. Email for more information: teresa@teresaberg.com.

If you’re interested in moving past the basic automatic settings on your camera and taking PRO quality photographs, we have a couple of great workshops coming up this summer.

First, Teresa is doing someportfolio shooting in Minneapolis on August 1st(and possibly August 2nd if we have enough people interested in a second day). This is for photographers with DSLRs that know a little bit about their camera but are tired of making “snapshots”. They’re looking to add depth and interest to their compositions and expand their tool kit when it comes to lighting and posing. You don’t need to be GOING PRO, but maybe you’d like your work to look like you are?

We won’t be shooting in a studio at all — it will be outdoors, with possibly some indoors but on location, not using studio-type lighting. This type of workshop will be great learning as we move from location to location setting up shots and getting the lighting right. No sitting in a classroom, no business lectures, no paperwork or handouts. We will set up shots, troubleshoot, talk about composition and lighting as we go and learn, learn, learn. Lots of walking and lots of fun. The cost to you is $500 per day. Maximum of 6 people in the group shooting with live models.

Secondly, Teresa is holding her third annualStudio Shooters Unleashedat her studioin Dallas on July 10-12. July in Dallas is a great time to stay indoors and experiment with light and all types of equipment. Learn the ins and outs of a working studio. We’ll use anything and everything to create beautiful portraits using Teresa’s props, backdrops and equipment. All you bring is your camera. Because we have a little more time, we’ll go deeper into exposure, metering, adding people to your shots, multiple dogs, litters of puppies, using unusual props, and more. We cater in lunches so we can maximize our time. We’ll have an optional group dinner at the end of the first day so everyone can relax and get to know each other. Cost for this two day workshop is $995. Maximum of 10 people.

I you are interested in either of these workshops, please email us at TERESA@TERESABERG.com or call the studio at 972-250-2415 and we will send you the registration email with more details.Payment in full is due when you register and is non-refundable. If you find out later that you cannot attend, you can sell your seat to another photographer, but we do not issue refunds.

You can pay via paypal, credit card or check. Discount hotel rooms will be available in just up the street for $64 per night at the Springhill Suites Marriott. This price includes breakfast and internet! If you’re flying in, check flights into DFW or DAL. Southwest Airlines recently opened up many affordable flights in and out of Dallas, so check them and American Airlines. You will not need a rental car in Dallas as we usually have plenty of drivers to shuttle people back and forth from the hotel to the studio. Lunches and snacks are included.

So grab a seat and launch a fun summer with your camera and a four-legged friend!

2015 looks like an exciting new year in photography and there’s always something going on in Pet Photography. Don’t forget to check our facebook group for updates. Teresa is planning the summer STUDIO SHOOTERS UNLEASHED at her studio in Dallas tentatively schedule for July 10-12th. This is the perfect time to dive in to studio shooting with both feet and learn HANDS ON in a working studio. Stay tuned here for updates.

In early August, Teresa travels to the Minneapolis area and is possibly getting together a 1 or 2 day shooting workshop.

We’re super psyched about this year’s Virginia Unleashed! Join us in lovely Alexandria, VA for what promises to be a sensory overload of shooting opportunities. We’re smack dab in the middle of Old Town at the uber dog-friendly Hotel Monaco.

The days are long and packed with shooting and tons of business information. We work hard and long so come well rested!

Dates: Oct. 4-6, 2014

Where: Old Town, Alexandria, VA (DCA is the closest airport)

Cost: $1395 (see Agenda tabs for more info on what’s included!)

Email us through our contact page here for more info or, if you’re ready to jump in – you can register here on Square Market and we will send you your registration packet! Hotel links will be available in the registration packet. See you in Virginia and come ready to be Unleashed!